- Welcome to Touhou Wiki!
- Registering is temporarily disabled. Check in our Discord server to request an account and for assistance of any kind.
Toyosatomimi no Miko
- "Miko" redirects here. For the occupation, see Shrine Maiden.
(♫) Toyosatomimi no Miko Miko Toyosatomimi More Alternative Spellings | |
---|---|
Toyosatomimi no Miko in Ten Desires Shoutoku TaoistMore Character Titles | |
Species | |
Abilities |
Listening to ten people's conversations at the same time. |
Age |
1450 (Born February 7, 574) |
Location | |
Music Themes | |
| |
Appearances | |
Official Games | |
| |
Print Works | |
|
Toyosatomimi no Miko (豊聡耳 神子) is a saint who spread Buddhism across the country as ruler while Seiga Kaku taught her Taoism. She was the sixth stage boss of Ten Desires. As a follower of Taoism training to attain immortality, she now lives her life in a simple, carefree manner, as a hermit.
General Information
Personality
Miko is characterized as being "surprisingly casual", and frequently jokes around. Though she is a fully immortal hermit, she still tends to get involved in secular affairs because of her origins as a ruler. During combat, however, she displays no sign of weakness and seems to completely see through her opponents. As a hermit, she is not concerned about teaching her techniques to the many that want to become her disciples, and simply uses them as servants and couriers. She is cooperative and friendly towards humans in general, though.
Ability
- Listening to ten people's conversations at the same time
Her ability comes from a famous legend about Prince Shotoku. It's said that Prince Shotoku was so smart that he could understand ten people questioning him all at once and then be able to give them back perfect answers. Because of this ability, her ears are extremely sensitive. This is the reason she wears earmuffs.
In addition, to a certain extent, she can discern the desires of those she talks to.
In Symposium of Post-mysticism, it is speculated that she likely has other superhuman abilities, but these are unknown.
Occupation
Miko is a hermit living in Senkai. Though she apparently has disciples, she does not teach them her ways, but rather treats them as servants. Her main goal is to achieve immortality, and then eventually become a celestial.
Character Design
Origin
Toyosatomimi no Miko is based on Prince Shotoku (聖徳太子 Shoutoku Taishi, lit. "Prince Virtue"), real name Prince Umayado (厩戸皇子), who was a legendary regent and political figure of the Asuka period, living from February 7, 574 – April 8, 622. He was purportedly born in front of a horse stable, being named Umayado, lit. "Prince of the Stable Door" as a result. He was crucial in the spread of Buddhism in Japan and according to folklore, could comprehend ten simultaneous conversations, like his Touhou namesake. Because of this, he was also named Toyosatomimi (豊聡耳 lit. "abundant, clever ears") at very first, which would be soon pronounced as Toyotomimi for the same kanji. He eventually came to be recognized for his contributions and was seen as something like a saint, but some accounts of his life have also been subject to criticism and debate.[1][2]
Name
Although the name Miko (神子) is usually used with pretty much the exact same meaning (but less common) as "Shrine Maiden" when it is written as 巫女 (also read "Miko"), since Prince Shoutoku was a Prince of the imperial family, perhaps interpreting as "god's child" would make more sense. Her last name 豊聡耳 (Toyosatomimi) as mentioned above, is another name/title that Prince Shoutoku had, literally meaning "wealthy intelligent ears".
Design
In Ten Desires's official art, Miko has very light, almost platinum blonde hair, styled like horns or ears, as well as gray eyes. She wears purple headgear which has been described as both headphones[3] and earmuffs[4]. They bear the Chinese character meaning "Harmony" (和 wa) which was used as the name of ancient Japan (Wa). Her clothes are a purple dress under a white vest with elaborate trimming.The colors used in her dress refers to the Twelve level cap and rank system: a famous political achievement that she (= Prince Shoutoku) made ("violet" [Greater Virtue] represents 1st rank and "purple" [Lesser Virtue] for 2nd rank.). She holds a shaku and carries a sword which is assumed to be the Seven Star Sword (七星剣 Shichi-sei ken) - a Taoism sword known to be worn by Prince Shoutoku in this portrait - on her waist.
Story
Attention: This section is a stub and it needs expanding with more information related to the section's topic. If you can add to it in any way, please do so. |
- Ten Desires
<Insert Main Summary>
- Main article: Reimu Arc
<Insert Summary>
- Main article: Marisa Arc
<Insert Summary>
- Main article: Sanae Arc
<Insert Summary>
- Main article: Youmu Arc
<Insert Summary>
Relationships
Mononobe no Futo
Mononobe no Futo is an ally of Toyosatomimi no Miko. Futo acted as Miko's test subject during the process of immortality. She assists Miko during one of her spellcards.
Soga no Tojiko
Soga no Tojiko is an ally of Toyosatomimi no Miko. She assists Miko during one of her spellcards.
Seiga Kaku
Seiga Kaku is an ally of Toyosatomimi no Miko. Seiga was the one who taught Miko the charms of Taoism.
Yoshika Miyako
Yoshika Miyako is a Jiang Shi guarding Toyosatomimi no Miko's mausoleum during her resurrection. As of yet any interaction between the two have not been seen, whether in the past or present.
People from the Myouren Temple
The Myouren Temple is an enemy of Toyosatomimi no Miko and her allies. The existence of a Buddhist faction lead to the resurrection of the Hall of Dreams' Great Mausoleum. The Buddhist monk Byakuren Hijiri built the Myouren Temple above Miko's mausoleum in order to prevent her from resurrecting. Nue Houjuu, a resident of the temple, called in Mamizou Futatsuiwa in order to fight against Miko.
Minor Relationships
Toyosatomimi no Miko has looked back Reimu before she was born and mentions that there are things she can learn from her.
Spell Cards
Name | Translated | Comments | Games | Stage | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total: 37 | ||||||
名誉「十二階の色彩」 | Honor "Colors of Twelve Levels" | TD | St. 6: E/N | |||
名誉「十二階の冠位」 | Honor "Ranks of Twelve Levels" | TD GoU |
St. 6: H/L — | |||
仙符「日出ずる処の道士」 | Hermit Sign "Taoist of the Land of the Rising Sun" | TD HM ULiL AoCF |
St. 6: E/N Use Use Use | |||
仙符「日出ずる処の天子」 | Hermit Sign "Emperor of the Land of the Rising Sun" | TD | St. 6: H/L | |||
召喚「豪族乱舞」 | Summon "Royal Clan's Chaotic Dance" | TD | St. 6: E/N/H/L | |||
秘宝「斑鳩寺の天球儀」 | Secret Treasure "Armillary Sphere of Ikaruga-dera" | TD | St. 6: E/N/H | |||
秘宝「聖徳太子のオーパーツ」 | Secret Treasure "Prince Shotoku's Out-of-Place Artifact" | TD | St. 6: L | |||
光符「救世觀音の光後光」 | Light Sign "Halo of the Guse Kannon" | TD | St. 6: E/N | |||
光符「グセフラッシュ」 | Light Sign "Guse Flash" | TD GoU |
St. 6: H/L — | |||
眼光「十七条のレーザー」 | Discernment "Laser of Seventeen Articles" | TD | St. 6: E/N | |||
神光「逆らう事なきを宗とせよ」 | Divine Light "Honor the Avoidance of Defiance" | TD GoU |
St. 6: H/L — | |||
「星降る神霊廟」 | "Falling Stars on Divine Spirit Mausoleum" | TD | St. 6: E/N | |||
「生まれたての神霊」 | "Newborn Divine Spirit" | TD | St. 6: H/L | |||
「神霊大宇宙」 | "Divine Spirits' Universe" | TD | Ov | |||
道符「掌の上の天道」 | Tao Sign "Heavenly Way Atop One's Palm" | HM ULiL AoCF |
Use Use Use | |||
人符「勧善懲悪は古の良き典なり」 | Human Sign "Tradition of Just Rewards" | HM ULiL AoCF |
Use Use | |||
「詔を承けては必ず慎め」 | "Heed the Commands with Absolute Care" | HM | Use-LW | |||
徳符「聖徳のプレスティージ」 | Virtue Sign "Prestige of Shoutoku" | HM | Story | |||
光符「無限条のレーザー」 | Light Sign "Lasers of Infinite Articles" | HM | Story | |||
「我こそが天道なり」 | "My Way is Truly That of Heaven!" | ISC GoU |
St. 10 — | |||
「十七条の憲法爆弾」 | "Seventeen-Article Constitution Bombs" | ISC GoU |
St. 10 — | |||
*特別に両方選ばせてやろう!* | *As a Special Service, I'll Let You Choose Both!* | ULiL AoCF |
Use-LW Use-LW | |||
怪人「ヘルメティックマント」 | Fiend "Hermetic Cape" | ULiL | Story | |||
*大怪人の動脈と静脈* | *The Great Fiend's Arteries and Veins* | ULiL | Story | |||
*世紀の怪人赤マント青マント* | *Fiend of the Century, 'Red Cape Blue Cape'* | ULiL | Story | |||
怪人「ブラッディマント」 | Fiend "Bloody Cape" | ULiL | Story (Extra) | |||
怪人「カーシング赤青マント」 | Fiend "Cursing Red-Blue Cape" | ULiL | Story (Extra) | |||
「死生有命 ~自らの意思で最期を選べ~」 | "Life and Death are Fated ~Choose Your End by Your Own Free Will~" | ULiL | Story (Extra) | |||
光撃符「君を導く王道のヴァジュラシュート」 | Light Strike Sign "Vajra Shoot of the Noble Path that Guides You" | Co-owner with Byakuren | AoCF | Story | ||
撃光符「スカンダの王道の威光」 | Strike Light Sign "Glory of Skanda's Noble Path" | Co-owner with Byakuren | AoCF | Story | ||
蹴斬符「ガルーダの聖徳斬」 | Kick Slash Sign "Garuda's Shoutoku Slash" | Co-owner with Byakuren | AoCF | Story | ||
光仙符「日出ずる国の僧侶と道士」 | Light Hermit Sign "Monk & Taoist of the Land of the Rising Sun" | Co-owner with Byakuren | AoCF | Story (Overdrive) | ||
光風符「レイディアント風水マント」 | Light Wind Sign "Radiant Feng Shui Cape" | Co-owner with Futo | AoCF | Story | ||
光符「君を導く夢王道の威光」 | Light Sign "Glory of the Noble Dream Path that Guides You" | Used by Miko's Dream World self | AoCF | Story | ||
星神符「十七条の超人」 | Star Divine Sign "Superhuman of Seventeen Articles" | Co-owner with Byakuren | VD | Nightmare Sunday - 2 | ||
紅神符「十七条のカタストロフ」 | Scarlet Divine Sign "Catastrophe of Seventeen Articles" | Co-owner with Flandre | VD | Nightmare Sunday - 4 | ||
神紅符「ブラッディ十七条のレーザー」 | Divine Scarlet Sign "Bloody Laser of Seventeen Articles" | Co-owner with Remilia | VD | Nightmare Sunday - 5 |
Additional Information
- Miko and the Prince Shotoku of legend are in fact one and the same, according to narrative in one of Sanae's endings. This same ending shows that Prince Shotoku is historically seen as a bearded man, as his face is on old yen bills. Sanae is unable to figure out the reason for this discrepancy, although the fact that she was using an elementary school history textbook to research it probably didn't help.
- The butterfly that Miko uses in some attacks probably alludes to the story of Zhuangzi's butterfly dream, one of the most well-known Taoist philosophy stories.
- Miko's left hand appears to have been drawn incorrectly. Her fingers should be showing while her thumb should be hidden. Basically, it looks like she has two right hands. However, if you consider that the left hand's finger which the viewer sees is a pinky, everything looks normal.
- With seven Spell Cards, Miko is the first final boss since the spell card system was introduced not to have either five or six spell cards (not including Kaguya Houraisan's last spells.)
- Miko is the first and only game character whose precise age and birth date is known (assuming Miko is Prince Shoutoku). Remilia Scarlet and Flandre Scarlet's years of birth are known but not their actual birth date and Chiyuri Kitashirakawa and Yumemi Okazaki's ages are known, but not their birth date.
- She is also the only final boss who is vulnerable when the player uses a bomb in her final spell card.
- The sword is assumed to be Shichi-sei ken (七星剣), a Chinese-made sword originally owned by her namesake which was influenced by Taoism. It is one of two swords Prince Shotoku was most famous for.
- In Miko's Spell Cards, the background features the Five-storied Pagoda of Hōryū-ji. Hōryū-ji is a Buddhist temple commissioned by Prince Shotoku.
- Regarding certain theories supported by some historians, an interesting relationship arises between Miko and Fujiwara no Mokou. According to the theories, it's said that Mokou's supposedly father Fujiwara no Fuhito is one of the ones responsible to fabricate the fictional legend of Prince Shotoku[5] However it should be noted that this is just an assumption made by going behind inspiration sources, and whether it may or may not be intentional is unknown.
- Miko's conflict with Byakuren and shared use of Buddhism appears to be a shoutout to Hokuto No Ken where Miko is Raoh, a conqueror whereas Byakuren is Toki, their shared use of Buddhism for difference uses mirrors that of Hokuto Shinken in the said series.
Fandom
Miko is working her way up in fanon. Although she is new among the fanbase, she has become very notable.
Masuda Kousuke's work Gag Manga Biyori (ギャグマンガ日和) is a major source for fandom. Since Miko's motif, to tell the truth, is Shoutoku Taishi, and as Shoutoku Taishi makes an appearance in Gag Manga Biyori, it can be said that for Miko to be connected to that would be a natural outcome. Also, some of Miko's spell cards like "Laser of Seventeen Articles" and "Guse Flash" echo, but the secret moves that Taishi displays, "Flying Reagent Poseidon" and "Asuka Civilization Attack" echo, which seem to coincide. On Saturday, 2011 August 14, on the Shitaraba (したらば) livedoor bulletin board, in the thread 豊聡耳神子スレ 耳あてその1 was post 29 with and although very quick, was text art of the Taishi of Gag Manga Biyori, and also on pixiv and individual image sites, Miko's form can quickly be seen with a blue jersey. Furthermore, in the ordinary case, Mononobe no Futo, taking the position of Ono no Imoko, she naturally plays the role of the straight man in the red jersey.
Another prominent one is "Miko-tan in shitao!" (みこたんインしたお!). As there was already the precedent of Mokou's "Moko-tan in shitao!" (もこたんインしたお!), and as there is also the influence of the endings of Ten Desires, this is something that one can comparatively quickly catch sight of.
Miscellaneous
- Because of her known birthdate, a lot of fans stated that they would be celebrating Miko's birthday every February 7.
- Due to her headphones and her rather modern looking outfit, she's sometimes compared with vocaloids despite not showing any ability to sing.
Official Profiles
Official Sources
- 2011/08/12 Ten Desires - Stage 6 dialogue; Settings and Extra Story.txt (official profile)
- 2012/04/27 Symposium of Post-mysticism
- 2013/05/26 - Hopeless Masquerade - Playable character
References
- ↑ http://www.japanesehistory.org/cgi-bin/people.pl?shotoku
- ↑ http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/hata-lost-identity-shotoku-con.html
- ↑ Ten Desires special and two-part interview with ZUN
- ↑ Symposium of Post-mysticism: Toyosatomimi no Miko
- ↑ Wikipedia - Theories of Prince Shotoku being a fictitious figure (Japanese).
This page is part of Project Characters, a Touhou Wiki project that aims to write proper descriptions for all official characters of Touhou Project. Please keep the character page guidelines in mind when contributing. |